Why It Matters:
The annual Quds Day marches, held on the last Friday of Ramadan, have drawn larger crowds this year amid the ongoing genocide in Gaza and growing criticism of Washington’s military and financial support for Israel as the two have engaged in a war of aggression against Iran.
The Big Picture:
Initiated by Imam Khomeini, the late founder of the Islamic Republic, Quds Day has become a global rallying point for supporters of Palestinian liberation and opponents of Western intervention across West Asia. Demonstrations were held in multiple U.S. cities, including New York and Chicago.
What participants are saying:
Protesters in Manhattan carried flags of Iran and Palestine alongside portraits of Imam Khomeini and the Leader of the Islamic Revolution. They called for an end to American and Israeli crimes against Iran and the broader region.
Many banners declared support for the Iranian people’s stance against U.S. aggression and condemned the Zionist regime’s attacks on civilians.
Key Points:
- Demonstrators demanded an immediate halt to U.S. financial and weapons aid to Israel.
- Speakers denounced Washington’s complicity in “war crimes” committed in Gaza.
- Participants argued that U.S. tax dollars should not fund foreign wars while Americans face economic hardships at home.
- Similar rallies were reported in Chicago, Los Angeles, and several European capitals.
Go Deeper:
Analysts say the swelling protests in Western cities reflect a growing disconnect between public opinion and official policy on the Israeli genocide in Gaza.
Mojtaba Darabi - Hossein Vaez
